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Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal during a Tuesday broadcast of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” said gun control in the U.S. requires “serious action.”

“I spent a career carrying typically either a M16, and later a M4 carbine,” he said.

“And a M4 carbine fires a .223 caliber round, which is 5.56 millimeters, at about 3,000 feet per second. When it hits a human body, the effects are devastating. It’s designed to do that. That’s what our soldiers ought to carry,” he added.

He continued:

I personally don’t think there’s any need for that kind of weaponry on the streets and particularly around the schools in America. I believe that we’ve got to take a serious look — I understand everybody’s desire to have whatever they want — but we have to protect our children and our police and we have to protect our population. And I think we have to take a very mature look at that.

The former Commander of U.S. and NATO Coalition Forces in Afghanistan is, of course, referring to the Newtown, Conn., shooting that killed 26 people, including 20 children.

“I think serious action is necessary. Sometimes we talk about very limited actions on the edges, and I just don’t think that’s enough,” he said.

The “Morning Joe” hosts asked him if he has a message for the National Rifle Association and the House Judiciary Committee.

“I think we have to look at the situation in America,” he responded.

“The number of people killed by firearms is extraordinary compared to other nations. I don’t think we’re a bloodthirsty culture, and we need to look at everything we can do to safeguard our people,” he added.